Tick Spray

Is There a Helpful Tick Spray?

Tick spray can be effective in controlling these blood-sucking parasites if administered correctly. Tick spray for the yard has been found to be most effective against deer ticks in the nymphal stage; however, it can help reduce adult tick numbers, as well. Since using tick pesticides can be dangerous to other living things, such as your pets, many of the products used to kill or repel ticks are only available to licensed professionals. Before purchasing tick spray for the house, you may want to consult a pest control specialist to help ensure the best and safest results. Below is a list of chemicals typically used in tick control products:

• Bifenthrin: Products containing this chemical are available to both licensed professionals and sold over-the-counter
• Carbaryl: Some products containing this chemical may be for licensed professionals only, but some may also be available over-the-counter
  
• Cyfluthrin: Products containing this chemical are available to both homeowners and licensed professionals.
• Deltamethrin: This chemical is available to licensed professionals only.
• Lambda-cyhalothrin: This chemical is restricted to licensed professionals only.
• Permethrin: This chemical is mostly sold in products that can be found over-the-counter, but some may be restricted to licensed professionals only.
• Pyrethrin: This chemical is sold in products available to both homeowners and licensed professionals.

When to Treat the Yard

Timing is important when applying treatment to your yard. Tick season occurs in the spring and summer when ticks are the most active. For the best results, have a pest control specialist apply treatment in mid-May through mid-June to help decrease the number of nymphal black-legged or deer ticks in your yard. Also getting a treatment application in the fall can help minimize adult black-legged ticks.

Treating for Tick Hosts

Ticks are opportunists and like to live where they can easily grab a host to feed on. If your yard is attracting pests, such as rodents, birds or deer, ticks will most likely be nearby. Treating for ticks is the most effective when you treat for their hosts, as well. Here is what you can do:

• Get professional help using bait boxes to trap rodents and relocate them away from your property.
• Remove any debris, wood or leaf piles that pests can use for hiding.
• Remove bird feeders or consider only feeding birds in the winter when ticks are less active
• Keep birds from nesting around your home.
• Create a barrier around your yard with a fence to help keep deer out
• Consult a pest control specialist to help treat for pests.

With over 90 years of experience in the pest control industry, Terminix® knows how to deal with pests. Our professionals at Terminix can help treat for both ticks and their hosts. When you make an appointment with us, our professionals will inspect your home free of charge to help find any areas that may be attracting ticks. Contact Terminix today to schedule a free inspection .